Produced under Film London's PULSE digital shorts scheme, Ashes is a great example of a film that works within, and surpasses, the production criteria
typical of digital film funding in the 2000s. The film subtly acknowledges
regionalism - specifically the north/south divide - by placing characters from
London in a Liverpool setting. It also turns the aesthetic limits of digital
video into its advantage, avoiding the obvious theatricality of digital studio
shoots and making the most of its locations. The rigid ten-minute structure is
also used to the film's advantage, combining a straightforward story (the
spreading of the ashes) with a profound theme (a failing paternal relationship)
that, through the direction and characterisation, leaves the audience wanting
more.

In her first fiction short as writer/director, Corinna Faith chooses vivid
locations and draws strong performances. Her observational direction - Faith's
background is in TV documentary - complements the actors' improvisation, as
illustrated most clearly in the scenes with the Liverpool public. In addition,
the whole film is underpinned by Faith's joyous script. It provides an
immaculately paced structure which the editing, direction and faultless
performances all worktowards. Faith has since gone on to direct another short
film for Film London - Care (2006) - and has started doing television fiction
work.